Man Sues Over Genital Amputation

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - A Kentucky man who claims his penis was
removed without his consent during what was supposed to be a
circumcision has sued the doctor who performed the surgery.

Phillip Seaton, 61, and his wife are seeking unspecified
compensation from Dr. John M. Patterson and the medical practice
that performed the circumcision for "loss of service, love and
affection." The Seatons also are seeking unspecified punitive
damages from Patterson and the medical practice, Commonwealth
Urology.

A woman who answered the phone at Commonwealth Urology would not
take a message for the doctor Thursday. But the Seaton's attorney
said the doctor's post-surgical notes show the doctor thought he
detected cancer and removed the penis. Attorney Kevin George said a
later test did detect cancer.

"It was not an emergency," George told The Associated Press on
Thursday. "It didn't have to happen that way."
Seaton was having the procedure on Oct. 19, 2007, to better
treat inflammation.

The lawsuit filed earlier this month in state court claims
Patterson removed Seaton's penis without consulting either Phillip
or Deborah Seaton, or giving them an opportunity to seek a second
opinion.

The couple also sued the anesthesiologist, Dr. Oliver James of
Shelbyville, claiming he used a general anesthesia even though
Seaton asked that it not be administered.

A message left at Commonwealth Urology's corporate office in
Lexington was not immediately returned Thursday. A message left for
James also was not immediately returned.

The Seatons' suit is similar to one in which an Indianapolis man
was awarded more than $2.3 million in damages after he claimed his
penis and left testicle were removed without his consent during
surgery for an infection in 1997.